For image requests, please contact Kara Vetter, registrar, at the Indiana State Museum and State Historic Sites, kvetter@dnr.in.gov

Notes

Close observation will reveal that many of the Porter fireplaces have little room for wood. Randy Lehman, Limberlost State Historic Site Manager, explains, "In 1895 Geneva, Indiana had a gas company, and Charles Porter was the treasurer for the Geneva Gas Company. Briggs Hardware in Geneva has one of his old ledger books, and the typical charge for any customer for natural gas service was $5.00 per month. Since gas customers had no meters, it was a flat rate of $5.00 per month, regardless how much gas was used."